Past and present state teachers of the year weigh in on the most pressing issues in K-12 education, sharing their most promising insights from the classroom and seeding critical conversations about the future of teaching and learning.

Recently in NNSTOY Category

November 27, 2017

It is so important for schools who want to retain talent to think critically about the needs of their novice teachers - they must think beyond new teacher training at the beginning of the year. As we approach the first extended break, why not initiate a check-in with new teachers that can provide exactly what they need (but likely won't ask for)?

Posted by Teacher-Leader Contributor from the National Network of State Teachers of the Year at 8:50 PM|
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November 08, 2017

When writing about your experience, it's OK to be vulnerable. In fact, being honest about what your day feels like, what you see and feel in your work, will often make a piece more interesting, more relatable, and ultimately more powerful.

Posted by Teacher-Leader Contributor from the National Network of State Teachers of the Year at 1:18 PM|
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October 04, 2017

The true beauty in leadership is being able to discern when to pull back and not give teachers things they don't need. There is a balance that great principals learn, and because of that balance, they generally have happy teachers in their classrooms.

Posted by Teacher-Leader Contributor from the National Network of State Teachers of the Year at 10:18 AM|
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August 28, 2017

Now isn't the time for reminders about materials and copying and pasting your district's tardy policy. Now is the time to let parents know what is most important to you as a teacher, what big goals you have for their students, and start forming the team that will get you there.

Posted by Teacher-Leader Contributor from the National Network of State Teachers of the Year at 11:53 AM|
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August 21, 2017

As educators, we recognize that cannot stand by and say nothing while acts of racism and hate are perpetrated against our citizens by our citizens. Each of us must decide whether or not we will be a bystander or a resistor, one who condones or one who resists.

Posted by Teacher-Leader Contributor from the National Network of State Teachers of the Year at 11:07 AM|
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August 15, 2017

Like learning to golf, when teachers first begin, they also struggle to master complex skills. Most enter the classroom with a basic understanding of pedagogy but very little practical experience. They are drawn to the seemingly green, lush fairways of teaching, but very soon they realize teaching is no easy game.

Posted by Teacher-Leader Contributor from the National Network of State Teachers of the Year at 10:05 AM|
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